Government budget and revenue in Redwood City, California: official figures
Redwood City's city government took in $352.28 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $4,376 for each of its 80,512 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 133rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Redwood City spend and on what?
It spent $315.79 million in the same year, $3,922 per resident, the 157th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (17.9%), fire protection (15.0%) and sewerage (13.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Redwood City collect per resident?
Taxes raised $154.63 million ($1,921 per resident, the 80th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 50.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Redwood City rely on?
Of Redwood City's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 45.9%, general sales tax 35.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Redwood City's property tax share is the 222nd lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Redwood City get?
Payments from other governments made up 5.5% of Redwood City's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 1.5% from the federal government ($57 per resident), 3.5% from the state and 0.5% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Redwood City raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $96.78 million, 31.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $48.43 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Redwood City spend on police?
Redwood City's city government spent $56.58 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $703 per resident (the 33rd highest of 582) and 17.9% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Redwood City spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $47.42 million, $589 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Redwood City have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Redwood City's city government owed $148.23 million in long-term debt, $1,841 per resident (the 234th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $11.16 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Redwood City pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.26 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Redwood City city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 17.9% from $3,712 to $4,376, spending per resident rose 21.3% to $3,922, taxes per resident rose 11.7% to $1,921.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Redwood City compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 164 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 161 | Mooresville | $3,791 |
| 162 | Vineland | $3,780 |
| 163 | West Palm Beach | $3,774 |
| 164 | Redwood City | $3,712 |
| 165 | Goodyear | $3,705 |
| 166 | San Diego | $3,677 |
| 167 | Orlando | $3,670 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 203 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Anaheim | $3,253 |
| 201 | Fort Myers | $3,252 |
| 202 | Bellevue | $3,238 |
| 203 | Redwood City | $3,233 |
| 204 | Newark | $3,212 |
| 205 | Dearborn | $3,210 |
| 206 | Albany | $3,187 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 102 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | Alameda | $1,751 |
| 100 | Olympia | $1,736 |
| 101 | Boulder | $1,728 |
| 102 | Redwood City | $1,720 |
| 103 | Dublin | $1,719 |
| 104 | Cupertino | $1,711 |
| 105 | Atlanta | $1,711 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 50 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Berwyn | $567 |
| 48 | Newark | $567 |
| 49 | Tempe | $564 |
| 50 | Redwood City | $561 |
| 51 | Delray Beach | $561 |
| 52 | West Palm Beach | $560 |
| 53 | Cincinnati | $551 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 365 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 362 | Eugene | $1,944 |
| 363 | Fresno | $1,943 |
| 364 | Boulder | $1,940 |
| 365 | Redwood City | $1,931 |
| 366 | Savannah | $1,931 |
| 367 | Ocala | $1,928 |
| 368 | Murray | $1,928 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 331 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 328 | Gresham | 54.7% |
| 329 | Killeen | 54.6% |
| 330 | Draper | 54.4% |
| 331 | Redwood City | 54.4% |
| 332 | Fishers | 54.4% |
| 333 | Savannah | 54.3% |
| 334 | Texas City | 54.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Redwood City ranks 644 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 641 | Apex | 7.9% |
| 642 | Blaine | 7.9% |
| 643 | Weston | 7.8% |
| 644 | Redwood City | 7.8% |
| 645 | Murrieta | 7.6% |
| 646 | Mount Pleasant | 7.5% |
| 647 | Westminster | 7.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 133 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Savannah | $4,414 |
| 131 | Dallas | $4,400 |
| 132 | New Braunfels | $4,381 |
| 133 | Redwood City | $4,376 |
| 134 | West Palm Beach | $4,374 |
| 135 | Springfield | $4,373 |
| 136 | Mishawaka | $4,363 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 157 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 154 | Birmingham | $3,960 |
| 155 | Boulder | $3,943 |
| 156 | Urban Honolulu | $3,935 |
| 157 | Redwood City | $3,922 |
| 158 | Owensboro | $3,912 |
| 159 | Hollywood | $3,907 |
| 160 | Charlotte | $3,880 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 80 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | Boulder | $2,033 |
| 78 | Cleveland | $2,024 |
| 79 | Commerce City | $1,940 |
| 80 | Redwood City | $1,921 |
| 81 | Burbank | $1,916 |
| 82 | Chicopee | $1,915 |
| 83 | Miami | $1,901 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 33 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Baton Rouge | $755 |
| 31 | Miami | $748 |
| 32 | Delray Beach | $707 |
| 33 | Redwood City | $703 |
| 34 | Hollywood | $702 |
| 35 | Long Beach | $700 |
| 36 | Burbank | $687 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 349 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 346 | Reading | $1,853 |
| 347 | Bozeman | $1,843 |
| 348 | Warwick | $1,843 |
| 349 | Redwood City | $1,841 |
| 350 | Fresno | $1,839 |
| 351 | St. Louis Park | $1,791 |
| 352 | Bellevue | $1,779 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 359 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 356 | San Jose | 46.0% |
| 357 | Sarasota | 46.0% |
| 358 | Alameda | 46.0% |
| 359 | Redwood City | 45.9% |
| 360 | Santee | 45.9% |
| 361 | Miami Beach | 45.7% |
| 362 | Largo | 45.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Redwood City ranks 550 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 547 | Ames | 5.7% |
| 548 | Lake Elsinore | 5.5% |
| 549 | Richardson | 5.5% |
| 550 | Redwood City | 5.5% |
| 551 | St. Louis Park | 5.3% |
| 552 | Ontario | 5.3% |
| 553 | Kirkland | 5.2% |
More on Redwood City: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.